My kids would like to get into pin trading. Where would you suggest getting a lot? Ebay? Cayla, I see that you like to stay away from the Ebay lots, do you have any suggestion how to get started cheaply?
Ok, then they will both be bringing. As for ebay...I have had really good luck. I always read the review of the seller and make sure somewhere in the listing it says "disney stamped" or something like that. Another good source is the disney outlet stores, but they aren't around all the time.
Disney store on line always has some good sales (and then I just buy several of that pin). And, if you can get to WDW...the recent get with purchase was a starter lanyard set of 8 pins for 15.95....couldn't pass that one by! On ebay, I try and get pins around the 2-3.00 per pin mark, but again, I haven't gotten any bad ones in my experience.
Pin Trading can be expensive and LOADS of fun...I have met some wonderful people through trading. There are events at most of the parks, and of course the yearly event at Epcot is usually attended by over 1000 people. So, how to start..well, how about if I create a "How To" sheet and email it along. There are some basic rules, and manners but other than that have fun! I do buy off eBay, I am just very careful as others have said. If it seems too good to be true - most likely is! Sticking to the 3.00 range for purchases is a good start, always find out if the pins are on original backer cards (scrappers and counterfits are not). Just because it has a back stamp does not necessarily make it a legit pin. I have seen some pretty good counterfits. I ordered 2 lots one time, they were exactly the same (including an LE20 ???!?!?!?!) my "warning Will Robinson" voice went off in my head. My ex and I had almost all of the pins in the lot and held the new ones up against the old...all were fakes. I got my money back, and reported the seller to eBay and Disney. That said - I have gotten some great lots as well. The outlets near WDW are a good source, private sales (I have many contacts and watch THESE boards for folks selling off collections). There used to be a board just for pins, but they have closed...so folks are kinda wandering around looking for each other.
Clever Disney, to come up with something that everyone enjoys and that nets them a pretty penny to boot!
Pin trading has been around since about 1990 (not sure on the history, I will confirm this if anyone needs specifics) Disney didn't get into the game until 2000. Now they have flooded the market and in some ways it has gotten much harder. I collect Winne the Pooh...there are over 4000 pins currently available, and more coming out every month...very hard to keep up with them! PinPics.com is an online registry for ones collection, traders and wants. This is a kid friendly website as well.
We have a dear friend who also loves Stitch, although I'm not sure what she has. I'll need to get an inventory list from her. We'll have our bag of random pins (also from ebay) DD is always on the look-out for princess pins.
Thanks guys for the pin tips. I will PM for the favorite ebay sellers. I know my kids would be into it. They have no clue about it, so your kids can teach my kids. Maybe they can get together at the meets on in the port to talk pins.
So I finally finished my pirate costume shopping today. Next I am going to get the kids new Disney pajamas and have them laying on the turn downed beds the first night. Got that idea from the main board. Now it looks like I am on the search for pins to get them started. Isabelle's birthday is on the 19th and I am trying to think of some small gifts for her. I also want to get a photo mat to be signed by the characters for a nice family portrait to hang up back home. Geesh, the before cruise costs are adding up.
Oh I found it funny that you guys were trying to figure out my avatar. They are chocolate covered strawberries with the Palo logo stamped on the bottom of each. When Kevin and I did brunch there in January I was amazed at the strawberries and the Palo stamps. I though it was so neat and I had never seen anything like it. So I took a picture intending to use it as my avatar. After I loaded the photo I realized it does not look that clear, so I am intending to change it. I just have not had time or looked for another photo. So when you all dine there in 5 weeks, you can think of me when you see the strawberries.
If you drop off anything you want signed at Guest Relations at the start of the cruise, they will track down all the characters for you...then call you when it is ready. I have seen everything from pillow cases (or pillows) to matting, to tshirts, and one person had shorts signed. All fun...I have a large plain mat (the area around the picture is almost 6 inches, for a 6x9 photo) that I had signed years ago...I love it!
Funny, I have NEVER noticed the strawberries before...I have eaten at Palo at least 20 times that I can think of....now I have to look!!!!
Yes I would like to see this too and the new movie HOP. Hope it's on our cruise. I plan to put a thread out there around the beginning of April and see. 
Call the cruiseline - they can tell you what movies will be onboard, they have a list about 3 months out.
Go ahead and add me please...I will have to see if I can get JoJo to part with some.
I totally agree this is such fun for the kid and us too. Thanks Cayla for putting this together. 
Can we bring them to the [/QUOTE]
added!
From another post:
And, speaking of pajamas, is there a breakfast where we are all expected (or invited) to wear pajamas, including adults? 'Cuz that means we (Mom and Dad) need to look for something presentable to wear.
Get your mind out of the gutter, ours are just well-worn and comfy.
Yep, there is....it is a character b'fast done in Parrot Cay - lots of fun! Some folks wear their jammies over shorts so as to not have to go back to the cabin. I have traveled with someone who actually had jammies MADE for this...me - I wear Disney lounge pants and a t-shirt. And if I have luggage space - my huge "yella" feet slippers!
If it's on a sea-day, I'll bring DD with her bag of pins.
I figured on a sea day...port days are so few - I want to keep those for exploring!
LiserAnn's traders will be Ryan-12 and Drew-9. I'd say Ryan enjoys anything Pirates and Haunted Mansion, and Drew likes whatever catches his fancy, for sure Pirates. They don't know we're going on this cruise, it's a surprise so I'm probably not going to bring their regular collection else that will be a tip-off but I'll go through their pins and pull out some that I know they wouldn't notice and perhaps buy some to also get them trading.
Thanks!!!
Added!
next post will be the updated list....geez...I left the board for a few hours and had 3 pages to catch up on!!! LOL...really looking forward to this trip!
Cayla
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Looks like a great group and I'm sure we'll have a blast. 
The tasting sounds like a BLAST! DH and I would be up for that IF there is still room (Jason and Mary)?!?!? If so, please put us down for two. I agree that the 18th is PERFECT! The sooner we get to know you AMAZING group of DISers the better! I found myself cracking up while 'catching up'. You really are a FUN group of people! Can't wait! 
In any case, we are more than ready to get this party started! The last few weeks at work have been NUTS! I wish we were taking off tomorrow! I will send payment for the wristbands ordered ASAP tonight and THANK YOU!!! Geez, what else have i missed?! It's hard to retain it all, but i THINK i'm caught up! Can't wait to meet all you amazing people in person. Super big thanks to those of you coordinating all of this...Kristi, Connie, Helen, etc......Virdis...i just LOVE your posts! 
) I have a feeling that you and my DH will get along AMAZINGLY! Anyway, feel free to fill me in on anything else i may have missed! I do not intend on missing ONE more day on this board until CRUISE DAY! 
I think I would be up for a 2nd one. Maybe towards the end of our cruise as a last horah.
